A joint resolution designating May 1988 as "Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month".
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1987
Designates May 1988 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.
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United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1987
Designates May 1988 as Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to the targeted jobs income tax credit. Extends the credit to employees who begin work in 1989 through 1991. (Current law terminates the credit for employees who begin work after December 31, 1988.) Includes as a targeted group individuals aged 65 or older who are members of economically disadvantaged families. Revises the minimum employment period requirement for purposes of this credit.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Condemns the failure of the National Governing Council of Haiti to: (1) support a constitutional transition to democracy; and (2) provide security and adequate protection for the human rights of the people of Haiti and for the security of diplomats. Declares that it is the policy of the United States to suspend all assistance to Haiti, with exceptions, unless the democratic process set forth in the Haitian Constitution (approved March 29, 1987), especially those provisions relating to the Provisional Electoral Council, is being fully adhered to by the Government of Haiti. Directs the President to take steps to promote human rights and democracy in Haiti. Urges, specifically, that the President: (1) use the vote and influence of the United States to halt or discourage the provision of assistance to Haiti by international financial institutions and organizations and other governments; (2) undertake diplomatic initiatives to secure international cooperation to maximize diplomatic and economic pressure on Haiti; (3) suspend Haiti's eligibility for benefits under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act; (4) furnish assistance to the news media in Haiti; (5) furnish assistance to private, voluntary and international organizations, and foreign governments, which might include U.S. participation in international peacekeeping activities; (6) sever diplomatic relations with the National Governing Council; (7) recognize an alternative entity, which is committed to a prompt transition to democracy, as the legitimate government of Haiti; and (8) impose, and seek international cooperation to multilaterally impose, an arms embargo and trade and financial sanctions against the Government of Haiti. Authorizes and urges the President to deny visas to, and exclude from admission to the United States, aliens (and family members and associates thereof) who have been involved in the denial of human rights in Haiti or in activities designed to impair Haiti's transition to democracy. Suspends all assistance to Haiti, with specified exceptions (such as assistance provided by voluntary organizations to meet humanitarian needs, assistance to enable the continuation of migrant and narcotics interdiction operations, and assistance for constitutional elections), unless the democratic process as set forth in the Haitian Constitution is fully adhered to by the Government of Haiti. Specifies that such adherence must include transition to a civilian government elected under the auspices of the Provisional Electoral Council by February 7, 1988. Authorizes the President to provide such assistance as appropriate related to the holding of elections. Requires the President to notify the Congress with respect to: (1) any such assistance provided; (2) actions taken pursuant to this Act; and (3) progress in promoting human rights and democracy in Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1987
Expresses the sense of the Congress that, in celebration of the millennium of the Christianization of Kievan-Rus', the Soviet Union should: (1) comply with its international obligations and allow Christians to practice their faith without harassment; (2) grant a general amnesty for all Christians who have been imprisoned because of their religious beliefs; (3) allow religious believers to practice their faith freely; (4) permit unlimited publication, distribution, and importation of religious materials; and (5) allow closed churches to reopen, new churches to be built, and theological seminaries to open or expand.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1987
Rape Prevention Act of 1987 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to public and nonprofit private community organizations for the purpose of establishing or operating local projects to combat rape and other forms of sexual assault. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1989 through 1993.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1987
Middle-Income Family Higher Education Savings Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual an income tax deduction for contributions to a savings account established to pay the educational expenses (tuition, supplies, meals, and lodging) of the taxpayer's child at an institution of higher education or a vocational school. Limits the deduction to $1,000 per year per child. Provides that no account may have more than one beneficiary. Permits a deduction with respect to only one account in cases of multiple accounts for the same beneficiary. Disallows the deduction for contributions made to an account after the beneficiary either attains age 25 or graduates from an eligible educational institution. Permits the exclusion from the gross income of the recipient beneficiary of payments and distributions from an education savings account as long as such amounts: (1) are used for the educational expenses of that individual; or (2) are rolled over into an education savings account established for a sibling of that individual. Exempts the education savings accounts themselves from taxation unless they cease to be proper education savings accounts because either the contributor taxpayer or the beneficiary engages in prohibited transactions or the beneficiary pledges the account as security. Establishes penalties in the form of additional tax when account funds or distributions are improperly used. Requires that the trustee of an education savings account report to the Secretary of the Treasury and to the account's benefactor on the maintenance of the account. Identifies the criteria and requirements applicable to an education savings account. Provides that contributions to an education savings account shall not be subject to gift tax. Establishes: (1) a five percent excise tax on amounts connected with any prohibited transaction with respect to an education savings account; and (2) a penalty for failure to file required reports concerning the education savings account.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1987
Designates April 1, 1988, as Run to Daylight Day.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1987
Approves the location of a commemorative work in the District of Columbia to honor the slaves and free black persons who served as soldiers and sailors or provided civilian assistance during the American Revolution and to honor the black men, women, and children who ran away from slavery or filed petitions with courts and legislatures seeking their freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1987
Designates the week of April 10 through April 16, 1988, as National Productivity Improvement Week.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Youth Employment Services Act of 1987 - Amends the Job Training Partnership Act to establish a demonstration program for employment opportunities for severely disadvantaged youth. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to carry out such programs with specified funds. Defines an eligible severely disadvantaged youth as one who: (1) is between 16 and 20 years old; (2) is economically disadvantaged; (3) has dropped out of elementary or secondary school, or has received a secondary school degree but whose reading and mathematics skills are both below the eighth grade level; (4) has not participated in an education or training program in nine months preceding the month in which he or she enrolls in the program under this Act; and (5) has less than 150 hours work experience in a specified nine-month period. Requires program grant applicants to form eligible partnerships, which shall include a public agency or private nonprofit organization and a business concern or association. Allows program funds to be used for: (1) individual assessment; (2) intensive basic skills training combined with vocational training and/or work experience; (3) support services; (4) job development and placement services; (5) a monitoring period after program completion, with support services to assist in retaining employment or advancing toward an educational degree; and (6) other appropriate services to further job placement. Sets forth provisions relating to the allocation and number of demonstration grants. Set forth program agreement requirements. Sets forth provisions for program payments and the Federal share of program costs. Directs the Secretary to evaluate services provided by eligible partnerships funded under this Act. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress on such evaluation. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1990 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Designates March 16, 1988, as Freedom of Information Day.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1987
Approves the location of the Korean War Veterans Memorial in the portion of the District of Columbia known as Area I.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Act for Better Child Care Services of 1987 - Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 and such sums as necessary for FY 1989 through 1992 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Specifies the manner of making allotments for child care services. Requires the designation of a lead agency in each State which participates in the programs under this Act. Requires States to submit, in order to qualify for assistance under this Act, an application and plan to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires each plan to cover a five-year period and to meet specified requirements for providers of child care services. Authorizes the use of State allotments: (1) by contracts with or grants to eligible child care providers, or public or private nonprofit agencies, to enable such providers or agencies to operate programs directly or by subcontract; or (2) by distributing child care certificates that parents may use as payment for child care services. Requires that a percentage of funds be reserved to enable part-day programs to extend existing hours of operation and provide full-day child care services. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning grants to States which desire to participate under this Act but cannot fully satisfy the requirements of a State plan without financial assistance. Provides for a review of the operation of a State plan during the five-year period to determine its continued eligibility for funds. Requires the Governor of each participating State to establish: (1) a State interagency advisory committee on child care to assist the lead agency in carrying out its responsibilities; and (2) a State committee on licensing to review the licensing requirements, the law, and the policies regulating child care services and programs within the State. Requires each participating State to recognized private nonprofit community-based organizations, or public organizations, as resources and referral agencies for particular geographic areas. Requires each participating State to require that all employed or self-employed persons providing licensed or regulated child care complete at least 15 hours per year of inservice, continuing education, or other training as described in this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish within the Department of Health and Human Services an Administrator of Child Care to carry out the provisions of this Act. Establishes enforcement provisions for review of State plans and monitoring of State compliance. Declares the Federal share of child care programs to be 80 percent and requires the State to demonstrate that the remaining 20 percent will be provided from other sources. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Advisory Committee on Child Care Standards to: (1) review Federal policies on child care services and such other data as appropriate; (2) submit to the Secretary proposed minimum standards for child care programs; and (3) develop and make available to lead agencies model regulations for resources and referral agencies. Terminates the committee 90 days after the date of publication of final minimum child care standards. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act for: (1) sectarian purposes or activities; (2) capital improvements to sectarian institutions; and (3) tuition.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Amends the Federal judicial code to grant U.S. district courts personal jurisdiction over citizens and subjects of foreign states in actions relating to the purchase or use of a product manufactured outside of the United States (provided such citizen or subject knew or should have known that the product would be imported for sale or use in the United States). Permits removal of such actions (without regard to whether all interested parties were properly joined and served) to an appropriate Federal district court. States that the law of the place of injury shall govern all issues concerning liability and damages in such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1987
Low-Income Housing Tax Act of 1987 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) with respect to gain or loss on dispositions of property to provide that for purposes of determining the allowable depreciation and the amount of gain in connection with qualified low-income housing (as defined in this Act) or its disposition, the adjusted basis shall be increased to equal the adjusted cost of the housing. Provides for the recapture of benefits if the taxpayer fails to operate the housing in accordance with the relevant agreement or if there is a disposition of the property. Revises the IRC to waive the ten-year requirement for the low-income housing credit if: (1) the head of the governmental body responsible for administering the pertinent low-income housing program determines either that the availability of the credit would help to avoid default or mitigate loss to the government involved, or that the availability of the credit is necessary to enable the project to avoid default or to be retained for low-income use; or (2) the taxpayer acquires the building from a governmental body that acquired it by reason of default on any indebtedness. Excludes from the gross income of a noncorporate taxpayer any passive activity gain realized in connection with the disposition of a qualified low-income housing project to a qualified non-related party that agrees to continue the low-income housing use of the property. Requires that the property: (1) be held by the taxpayer for the five years preceding the disposition; and (2) be identified by a State or local government as necessary to meet certain low-income housing requirements. Revises the definition of "cooperative housing corporation" for purposes of the income tax deduction of taxes, interest, and business depreciated by a tenant-stockholder to delete the 80-percent income requirement for limited equity cooperative housing corporations. Requires that income derived from investment of the mandatory reserves of a limited equity cooperative housing corporation be treated, for purposes of the tax deduction incurred in transactions with members, as income derived by the corporation from its members. Provides for the recapture of such amounts if the corporation ceases to be a qualified limited equity cooperative housing corporation. Permits such a corporation to elect retroactive application of such treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Dwight David Eisenhower Commemorative Coin Act of 1987 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than a specified number of one dollar silver coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dwight David Eisenhower. Sets forth certain features of such coins and provides for their design, issuance, and sale. Terminates the minting of the coins after December 31, 1990. Requires the Secretary to deposit in the Treasury all surcharges received from the sale of the coins, to be used to reduce the national debt.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1987
Vocational Rehabilitation Services Reimbursement Act of 1987 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to require payments for reimbursement of costs for rehabilitation services under the OASDI program to be made for each fiscal year in advance, in the amount of the reasonable and necessary costs of vocational rehabilitation services furnished during the preceding fiscal year ending September 30 of the preceding calendar year, increased or decreased by underpayments or overpayments in the preceding fiscal year. Amends title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) (SSI) of the Social Security Act to require that payments for rehabilitation services for blind and disabled individuals under SSI be made in the same manner and under the same requirements as OASDI payments.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1987
Minority Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Awareness and Prevention Act of 1987 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to create a new title on prevention and public awareness of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among minority populations. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Office of Minority Health, to make grants to community-based organizations for projects for the development and implementation of activities among minority populations regarding information on and prevention of AIDS. Requires grant applicants to: (1) establish a community resource panel to assist in the development and implementation of the project; and (2) report to the community served for each year that the recipient receives a grant. Requires the Office of Minority Health to make grants to national minority organizations with local chapters or affiliates to provide coordination, technical assistance, and promotion. Specifies minimum and maximum limits for the grants. Authorizes appropriations for the grants to community-based organizations and for grants to national minority organizations for FY 1988 through 1990. Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to prepare and transmit to the Congress a written strategy for education, counseling, prevention, training, treatment, research, and service delivery activities relating to AIDS that are specifically directed toward Blacks, Hispanics, and other minority populations. Directs the Secretary to establish a National Minority Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Advisory Committee to monitor and advise the Secretary with respect to efforts by Federal agencies to combat the AIDS epidemic in minority communities. Directs the Secretary to establish a minority AIDS clearinghouse to provide, primarily to minority communities and individuals, access to information relating to specified aspects of AIDS. Amends title XVII (Health Information and Health Promotion) of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, an Office of Minority Health. Sets forth the duties of the new office regarding AIDS and other minority health matters. Requires the Secretary to appoint a Director for the new office who is a member of the Public Health Service corps. Authorizes appropriations for title XVII for FY 1988 through 1990. Revises provisions relating to the research, community, and information programs the Secretary is authorized to conduct and support to insert references to minorities and minority communities and to make other changes. Directs the Secretary to submit to the President for transmission to the Congress an annual report on the status of minority health care efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1987
Designates the week of February 7 through February 13, 1988, as National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1987
Authorizes the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc., to establish a commemorative statue within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to recognize and honor the women of the U.S. armed forces who served in the Vietnam war. Expresses the sense of the Congress that after the addition of such statue, no further commemorative works should be added to the Memorial. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select a site for the statue within the Memorial. Makes the design proposal subject to the approval of the Secretary and the National Capital Planning Commission. Prohibits the United States and the District of Columbia from paying any expense of establishing the statue.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1987
Cable Television Consumer Protection Act of 1987 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to establish the Cable System Service Standards Task Force to: (1) investigate the levels of service personnel and the maintenance and billing practices required to ensure that customers of cable systems receive adequate responses to complaints regarding defects in cable service; (2) determine how different combinations of personnel and maintenance and billing practices will ensure such adequate responses; and (3) publish guidelines for use as minimum standards by cable franchising authorities. Requires the Task Force to report its recommendations and conclusions to the President and to each House of the Congress within one year of the date of initial appointment of its members. Provides that the Task Force shall cease to exist 30 days after submitting its final report. Authorizes appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1987
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of Federal civilian officers and employees stationed outside the continental United States any amounts received as cost-of-living allowances in accordance with pay scales or salary plans adopted through administrative action pursuant to Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 1987
Visually Impaired Voters Assistance Act of 1987 - Requires each State to make enlarged print voting aids and ballots available to visually impaired voters in Federal elections. Requires the chief election officer of each State to provide public notice, adapted to reach visually impaired voters, of the availability of materials under this Act. Directs the Federal Election Commission to report to the Congress, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, on the voting aids available to blind voters with respect to Federal elections in each State.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Designates the building on Orange Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio, known as the General Mail Facility of the United States Postal Service, as the John O. Holly Station of the United States Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1987
Designates February 4, 1988, as National Women in Sports Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1987
Technology to Educate Children With Handicaps Act - Amends the Education of the Handicapped Act to add provisions for assistive device resource centers. Directs the Secretary of Education to make grants to States to pay the Federal share of the cost of establishing assistive device resource centers. Directs the Secretary to make State allotments based on the number of handicapped children. Sets forth a minimum State allotment. Requires that each center serve severely handicapped: (1) infants and toddlers; (2) children and youth; and (3) individuals who have attained 21 years of age if the State plan prescribes a targeted population of such individuals. Requires each center to: (1) train and assist specialists in local educational agencies and nonprofit community organizations to evaluate a handicapped student's potential to benefit from assistive devices; (2) instruct teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, parents, and handicapped students in the appropriate use of assistive devices; (3) provide follow-up services and collect data to determine the effectiveness of the services provided; (4) develop a statewide service delivery system for severely handicapped children; (5) be able to assist in the development of assistive devices to meet the needs of handicapped individuals; (6) disseminate information to local educational agencies and nonprofit community organizations; and (7) provide in-service training to specialists, teachers, parents, and others on the benefits of assistive devices to promote improved educational performance and increased interaction between handicapped and nonhandicapped individuals. Requires each State to assure priority of services for handicapped children from birth through age 21. States that nothing in this Act precludes the provision of center services to handicapped individuals who are no longer eligible for services under the Education of the Handicapped Act. Requires each center to establish an Advisory Committee. Prohibits Federal funds from being used for the operations of such Committee. Sets forth required contents of State allotment applications. Allows any public agency or private nonprofit organization or institution to apply to a State for a grant to establish a center. Makes the Federal share of the cost 70 percent in FY 1988, 65 percent in FY 1989, and 60 percent in FY 1990. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1987
Amends the Federal Land Policy Management Act to authorize the issuance of rights-of-ways on public lands for the construction or operation of a non-Federal dam, diversion, or appurtenant project works for the generation of electric energy if consistent with the public interest or applicable management plan. Requires public participation in processing proposed right-of-ways. Requires the Federal agency or agencies with jurisdiction over the surface to prepare any necessary environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes the charging of fees to an applicant to offset administrative costs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Agricultural Extended Retirement Credit Act of 1987 - Extends creditable service under the Civil Service Retirement System for periods of service in certain Federal-State cooperative programs which had agricultural or related purposes. Establishes a hiring limitation period of three fiscal years after 60 days following enactment of this Act on the replacement of retirees in the United States Department of Agriculture. Prohibits the obligation or expenditure of any budget authority or outlays saved in any fiscal year by reason of reduced pay and personnel resulting from implementation of this Act. Requires that the budget authority and outlays thus saved be credited against pay and other personnel costs required to be sequestered under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act). Requires the Comptroller General to notify the Congress, in writing, of each instance of noncompliance with the requirement of this Act. Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to report to the Congress on an evaluation of the extended credit retirement program and the limitation on replacement of retirees provided under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
MedAmerica Act of 1987 - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to give States the option of extending coverage to individuals: (1) whose family income does not exceed an income level established by the State at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level; (2) who are unable to obtain health insurance coverage from another source by reason of a preexisting medical condition; (3) who have exhausted some or all of the benefits under their health insurance policy or plan; or (4) whose employer employs no more than 25 individuals and is unable to provide adequate health insurance coverage for such individuals at a reasonable cost. Prohibits a State from exercising the three latter options unless it has exercised its options, created under prior Federal law, of providing Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and children up to age five and the elderly, and has established State income eligibility levels for such individuals at the maximum level permitted by such law. Prohibits States from exercising any option under this Act unless their income and payment standards under part A (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) of title IV of the Act are no less than those standards in effect on April 30, 1987. Sets the annual premium, paid in monthly amounts, for benefits provided under this Act at the estimated State average per capita expenditure for Medicaid beneficiaries (excluding expenditures for skilled nursing and intermediate care facility services which are not included among the services covered by this Act), but limits such premium to three percent of the adjusted gross income for persons with family incomes between 100 and 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. Exempts families with incomes below the Federal poverty level from Medicaid premiums and any Medicaid co-payments other than those imposed on the categorically needy. Requires the imposition of co-payments on other persons covered by this Act for prescribed drugs, eyeglasses, dental services, dentures, and prosthetic devices even if such co-payments are not imposed on other Medicaid recipients.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Designates the week beginning September 11, 1988, as Total Education Awareness Week, recognizing that the educational experience should address the total needs of children, including their intellectual, psychological, social, and physical needs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1987
Expresses the opposition of the House of Representatives to the continued control of the cathedral in Vilnius, Lithuania, by the Soviet Union. Calls upon the President, the Secretary of State, and Members of Congress visiting the Soviet Union to raise the issue of the cathedral's return to the Roman Catholic Church in meetings with Soviet officials. Urges U.S. representatives to speak out forcefully for such a return at international human rights forums. Voices the House of Representatives' support to the Lithuanian people in their efforts to secure basic religious freedoms and the return of the cathedral. Urges the Soviet Government to allow Roman Catholics to worship at the cathedral and to return it to Roman Catholic Church control before the end of 1988.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Grants a Federal charter to the National Academies of Practice, honoring persons of the health care professions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Designates the month of June 1988 as National Recycling Month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Designates the week of May 2 through May 8, 1988, as National Drinking Water Week to enhance awareness of drinking water issues and recognition of the difference that drinking water makes to health, safety, and quality of life.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1987
Designates April 9, 1988, as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1987
Designates the week of June 5 through June 11, 1988, as National NHS-NeighborWorks Week.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 1987
Recommends that the Government lend support to efforts to overturn United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379 (XXX), which equates Zionism with racism.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Waives time limitations relating to the award of a medal of honor to a named individual for acts of heroism during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Waives time limitations relating to the award of a medal of honor to a named individual for acts of heroism during World War I.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Decennial Census Improvement Act of 1987 - Requires the Secretary of Commerce to adjust the population data of the decennial census to correct for any undercounts or overcounts and to report to the appropriate congressional committees, not later than one year in advance of such census, on the proposed plan for making such adjustment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1987
Designates June 26, 1988, as a national day of recognition for Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Designates March 27, 1988, as National Black American Inventors Day.
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1987
Designates March 18, 1988, as National Energy Education Day to promote and enhance energy education programs at all grade levels of public and private schools.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1987
Veterans' Agent Orange Disabilities Act of 1987 - Creates a non-rebuttable presumption that, for the purposes of wartime disability compensation for Vietnam veterans, the following diseases shall be considered to have been incurred in, or aggravated by, active military, naval, or air service in Vietnam during the Vietnam era: (1) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; (2) lung cancer becoming manifest within 25 years of service; and (3) a disease that, in accordance with this Act, is determined to be reasonably associated with damage to or suppression of the immune system resulting from exposure to dioxin or any other toxic herbicide used in Vietnam and that is listed in regulations prescribed by the Administrator of Veterans Affairs. Requires the Administrator to enter into an agreement with an appropriate nonprofit private scientific organization to: (1) conduct a survey of all scientific studies of the effects of dioxin and other toxic herbicides used by the United States in Vietnam on humans or animals; and (2) determine what (if any) diseases are reasonably associated with damage to or suppression of the human immune system as a result of exposure to such herbicides. Designates the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as the appropriate nonprofit organization, unless: (1) the NAS does not enter into such an agreement with the Administrator; (2) the Administrator has notified the veterans' committees of an alternative organization; and (3) 90 days have elapsed since such notification. Requires that the scientific organization report to the Administrator and the veterans' committees on the name of each disease determined to be reasonably associated with human immune system damage or suppression within one year after enactment of this Act. Directs that the Administrator prescribe regulations listing each such disease within 90 days of receipt of such report, unless a disease is specifically excluded by law. Directs the Administrator to periodically (but not less than annually) survey additional completed studies to determine whether any diseases should be added to the list. Requires that the Administrator: (1) compile and analyze, on a continuing basis, all clinical data obtained by the VA in connection with physical examinations and treatment furnished after November 3, 1981, to veterans who were exposed to dioxin or any other such toxic substance; and (2) submit to the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs a semiannual report containing such compilation and analysis, along with a discussion of the disabilities identified or treated by the VA, the Administrator's explanation for the incidence of such disabilities, and other reasonable explanations for the incidence of such disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1987
Calls upon the Government of the Soviet Union to: (1) grant to all those who wish to join spouses in the United States permission to emigrate with their family members to the United States; and (2) give special consideration to such cases that have remained unresolved for many years.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 1987
Designates April 1988 as National Prevent-A-Litter Month.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Omnibus Taxpayers' Bill of Rights Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to prepare a statement setting forth in nontechnical terms: (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a tax audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal adverse decisions, prosecute refund claims, and file complaints; and (3) the procedures that the IRS may use in enforcing revenue laws. Directs the Secretary to transmit drafts of such statement to specified congressional committees and to distribute the final statement to all taxpayers receiving annual tax filing forms from the IRS. Requires the IRS, upon taxpayer request, to conduct any interview regarding the determination or collection of any tax at a reasonable time and place convenient to the taxpayer and to the IRS, and to permit the taxpayer, at his or her own expense, to record the interview. Authorizes the IRS interviewer to record such interview if the taxpayer has been given prior notice and is provided, upon request and payment of reproduction costs, with a transcript of the recording. Requires the interviewer to explain to the taxpayer the audit process, including the taxpayer's rights with respect to the process. Requires the Secretary to abate any penalty or interest imposed on any deficiency attributable to erroneous advice in writing given to a taxpayer by an IRS officer or employee in response to such taxpayer's specific inquiry. Authorizes the IRS Ombudsman, upon application filed by a taxpayer, to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Ombudsman: (1) the taxpayer is suffering or is about to suffer from an unusual or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary; and (2) the Secretary has failed to carry out any of his or her duties or has violated any provision of law. Allows the terms of a Taxpayer Assistance Order to require the Secretary to release property of the taxpayer levied upon or to cease or refrain from certain actions. Requires the Secretary to obey any Taxpayer Assistance Order issued by the Ombudsman. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations with respect to Taxpayer Assistance Orders, including provisions to assure full, fair, and impartial due process for affected taxpayers. Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 and other Federal law to establish within the Department of the Treasury an Office of Inspector General. Transfers to such Office the existing audit and investigation units of the Department. Sets forth criteria with respect to: (1) the authority of the Inspector General to conduct an investigation; and (2) the authority of the Secretary in cases of audits or investigations requiring access to information of a sensitive or confidential nature. Allows the Secretary to prohibit investigations under specified circumstances. Restricts disclosure by the Inspector General of tax returns and return information. Prohibits records of tax enforcement results from being used to evaluate certain IRS personnel or to impose or suggest production quotas. Requires district directors to certify compliance with this mandate on a monthly basis. Requires the Secretary to certify that a rule proposed by the IRS is substantially the only alternative that meets the mandate of the relevant statute in order for the rule to be considered an interpretative rule (and thereby not subject to analyses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act). Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require regulatory flexibility analyses to include consideration of both the direct and indirect beneficial and negative effects of a proposed or final rule. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to direct the Secretary, with limited exceptions, to send a preliminary letter of deficiency to a taxpayer prior to the mailing of a deficiency notice. Specifies required contents for tax due notices and deficiency notices, including the basis of the deficiency and a breakdown of the total amount into tax, interest, and penalty. Directs the Secretary, within 90 days of this Act's enactment, to issue regulations requiring all IRS personnel to explain and support their position in assessing any penalties or additions to tax. Requires the Comptroller General to study IRS procedures with respect to such assessments and to present findings to specified congressional committees no later than December 31, 1988. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a binding agreement with a taxpayer under which the taxpayer may pay tax liability in installments if the Secretary determines that such an agreement will facilitate collection of the liability. Permits the Secretary, after proper notice and a hearing, to modify or annul the agreement upon the finding that the financial condition of the affected taxpayer has significantly changed. Renders such an agreement nonbinding if the taxpayer fails to pay any installment or any other tax liability when due. Extends from ten to 30 days the period between the required notice to a person who neglects or refuses to pay tax liability and a levy on such person's salary, wages, or other property. Specifies information that must be incorporated in such notice, including possible alternative actions and the appropriate appeals procedures. Adds to the circumstances triggering termination of such a levy: (1) an agreement between the taxpayer and the Secretary for payment of the liability; and (2) the Secretary's determination that the taxpayer's financial condition precludes enforceability of the liability. Revises the list of property exempt from levy to: (1) increase the exempt amount permitted for certain personal effects, the property of a business, and wages; (2) add an exemption for certain deposits in qualified institutions; and (3) provide an express exemption, except under limited circumstances specified in this Act, for the taxpayer's principal residence, a motor vehicle used by the taxpayer as the primary means of transportation to work, and any tangible personal property essential to the operation of the taxpayer's business in cases when a levy would prevent the taxpayer from carrying on such business. Prohibits a levy on any property when levy and sales expenses would exceed either the liability for which the levy is made or the fair market value of the levied property. Permits the Secretary to demand surrender of bank accounts only after 21 days in escrow have passed since service of the notice of levy on the accounts. Sets forth situations in which the Secretary must release a levy. Applies to jeopardy levies the administrative and judicial review procedures currently applicable to jeopardy assessments. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action against the United States in the Tax Court for judicial review of jeopardy levies and assessments. (Under current law an action for judicial review of jeopardy assessments may be filed only in district court.) Increases the time during which a taxpayer may petition for such review. Describes the jurisdictional requirements to be applied to such actions. Allows an administrative appeal of tax liens. Grants to the Tax Court exclusive jurisdiction to enjoin premature assessments if the taxpayer has filed a timely petition for review. Provides for review of such injunctive orders by the U.S. Court of Appeals. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to enforce payment by the Secretary of refunds of overpayment and interest to taxpayers. Places on the Secretary the burden of proof of justifying any failure to refund, credit, or offset relevant amounts with respect to a taxpayer. Entitles a prevailing taxpayer to: (1) an interest rate of 120 percent of the overpayment rate with respect to refunds; and (2) reasonable litigation costs. Grants to the Tax Court jurisdiction to: (1) review jeopardy assessment sales of assets; and (2) redetermine interest under certain circumstances when a taxpayer claims an overpayment of the interest. Vests in the Tax Court original jurisdiction over any civil action against the Secretary for the recovery of any tax, additions to tax, and penalties with respect to income, estate, gift, and certain excise taxes. Authorizes an award of reasonable litigation costs to the prevailing party in proceedings by taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Permits a taxpayer to bring a civil action in district court for actual damages resulting from the failure of any Federal officer or employee to release a tax lien on the taxpayer's property. Permits a civil cause of action in district court for damages resulting from the careless, reckless, or intentional disregard of internal revenue laws by any Federal officer or employee. Denies damage awards in cases of contributory negligence. Authorizes a damage award, to a $10,000 maximum, to the United States in cases of frivolous or groundless claims by a taxpayer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe criminal penalties for: (1) any investigation or surveillance authorized or conducted by an officer or employee of the United States in connection with Federal tax laws that inquires into the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization; or (2) the maintenance of any records containing information derived from such an investigation. Establishes in the Internal Revenue Service the Office for Taxpayers Services, under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Directs this Assistant Commissioner to: (1) be responsible for telephone, walk-in, and educational services, and for the design and production of tax and information forms; and (2) prepare annually, for presentation to specified congressional committees, a joint report (with the Chief Problem Resolution Officer for the IRS) on the quality of taxpayer services.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Department of Veterans Affairs Act - Redesignates the Veterans Administration (VA) as the Department of Veterans Affairs (the Department), an executive department within the executive branch of the Government. Provides that the Department shall be headed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Designates as other principal officers of the Department the Deputy Secretary, the Chief Medical Director, and the Chief Benefits Director. Provides for the temporary continuation of service of the current Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Chief Medical Director, and Chief Benefits Director of Veterans Affairs. Establishes within the Department eight Assistant Secretaries, each of whom shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to perform such functions as the Secretary may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to assign to one such Assistant Secretary all functions regarding the National Cemetery System and the State cemetery grant program. Outlines functions which the Secretary shall assign to the Assistant Secretaries. Provides for the temporary continuation of the performance of such functions by present personnel until such functions are assigned to an individual appointed as Assistant Secretary under this Act. Redesignates the current VA's Department of Medicine and Surgery as the Veterans Health Services Administration of the Department. Redesignates the VA's current Department of Veterans Benefits as the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department, whose primary function shall be to administer nonmedical programs which provide assistance to veterans, their dependents, and their survivors. Establishes within the Department the Office of the General Counsel. Redesignates the current Office of Inspector General of the VA as the Office of Inspector General of the Department. Provides that any references to departments or positions under the current VA system shall be considered to be references to such departments and positions of the Department as modified under this Act. Provides continuing effect of all legal documents, suits, actions, and property and resources of the current VA. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after appropriate congressional consultation, to prepare and submit to the Congress proposed legislation containing technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes made under this Act. Requires such legislation to be submitted no later than six months after the enactment of this Act. Provides that any spending authority of the Department is subject to available amounts as provided in appropriation Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 October 1987
Comprehensive Child Development Centers Act of 1987 - Amends the Head Start Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to eligible entities in rural and urban areas to pay the Federal share of the cost of projects designed to encourage intensive and comprehensive support services which will enhance the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of low-income children from birth to compulsory school age, including providing necessary support to their parents and other family members. Directs the Secretary to enter into contracts, agreements, or other arrangements with at least ten but not more than 25 eligible agencies to carry out such program. Lists characteristics of the eligible agency which the Secretary must consider. Authorizes the Secretary to make planning grants to eligible agencies. Limits such grants to not more than 30 in number and to one year in duration. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to make grants to selected eligible agencies to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out projects for intensive and comprehensive supportive services for low-income infants, young children, parents, and other family members. Requires that rural projects receive some of these grants. Sets forth application requirements for such grants. Directs the Secretary to pay to eligible agencies with approved applications the Federal share (80 percent) of the cost of activities described in the application. Limits a planning grant to a single eligible agency to $35,000. Directs the Secretary to conduct or provide for an evaluation of the success of such projects. Requires grantees to furnish information for such evaluation. Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress by October 1, 1992, on such evaluation, with recommendations. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1988 through 1993 to carry out such program (other than the report). Authorizes appropriations for FY 1992 and 1993 for the evaluation and report.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1987
Authorizes the Indian American Forum for Political Education to establish a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi in the District of Columbia and its environs. Prohibits the United States from paying any expense of establishing the memorial.